Contact: Dan Adkins

Dirda says he has “maintained a myopic 12-year-old’s passion for reading” through the years, with his interests ranging from fantasy and pulp fiction to histories and biographies. His passion for reading began at age 5 and has never relented.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2004) -- Washington Post columnist Michael Dirda, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Post’s Book World section, will speak at 8 p.m. Monday, April 12, at the University of Kentucky’s Memorial Hall. His speech, sponsored by UK Libraries, is free and open to the public.

Dirda, 55, writes a weekly column on books and hosts a weekly live Web chat on books, culture and other issues. He is the author of two books, “Readings” and “An Open Book.”

“We’re excited by Michael Dirda’s upcoming lecture, because he has a history of being an extraordinary booklover,” said Carol Pitts Diedrich, dean of UK Libraries. “His column’s success shows we can expect a challenging and inspiring speech on the joys of reading.”

Dirda says he has “maintained a myopic 12-year-old’s passion for reading” through the years, with his interests ranging from fantasy and pulp fiction to histories and biographies. His passion for reading began at age 5 and has never relented.

He joined the Washington Post 25 years ago.